Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province - December 2020 Update

Dear friends of Tete Province, 

Our Holistic Evangelism Project in Tete Province, Mozambique was challenged and stretched in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. We completed about one-third of our lay leadership training and dug 5 new wells before the border was closed in late March and activities in Tete Province were strictly limited. As the coronavirus started to spread in Africa, our project director Sebber Banda and project assistant Carlos Faquione turned their focus to educating the church congregations on mitigation practices like social distancing, hand washing, masks, and limited-size gatherings. Carlos, who is a pastor and lives in Tete Province, was able to work with our Mozambican Presbyterian church pastors to reinforce these safe practices from March through October when the borders were reopened.

During the time that the Mozambique border was closed, Sebber, who lives in Malawi, was able to establish a new working relationship with our Malawi Presbyterian partners, the CCAP Blantyre Synod. She worked closely with them to identify rural villages that needed a clean water supply and she provided training in the use and maintenance of wells. We were able to drill 8 new wells in Malawi in 2020.

When the Mozambique borders were opened in October and activities were allowed to restart, we were able to resume our lay leadership training and are on track to complete the training seminars that were postponed while the border was closed. We also are in planning with our Malawi partners to drill another well before year-end and start construction on a new church in Malawi. It is amazing how the COVID-19 restrictions have led us to a new initiative in Malawi.

2021 is just around the corner. We hope to have a more normal year even as we adjust to the new reality of operating with safe practices to help prevent the spread of the virus. As we plan and prepare for 2021, we expect to offer a full slate of lay leadership training. We have plans to drill wells and construct new churches. We have dollar for dollar matching gifts for a much-needed pastor's manse and teacher housing in Tete Province. We also plan to continue to work with our Malawi partner on drilling wells and church construction and repair. Your prayers and support help to make this exciting work possible, and it is greatly appreciated!  

We are so grateful for Sebber and Carlos, our dedicated servant leaders. click the button at the top of the page for a short video that Sebber recently made. I hope you enjoy it.

In His service,

Berry Long, Outreach trustee

Read more about Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province HERE.

THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $315,500 for churches, wells, schools, teacher housing, leadership training seminars and center, bicycles, and village health kits. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.